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CENTRAL AMERICA MULTI COUNTRY - DAY OF THE DEAD TRIP CODE MXTSDOD DEPARTURE 22/10/2017 DURATION 14 Days LOCATIONS Mexico INTRODUCTION Discover the highlights of Mexico as you travel from the pristine beaches of Cancun to the vast sprawling capital, Mexico City. In between explore the incredible archaeological sites of Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Palenque, Monte Alban and Teotihuacan. Wander the streets of colonial gems such as Merida, Campeche, San Cristobal de las Casas and Oaxaca. Take a boat trip through the Sumidero Canyon and gaze at the turquoise waters of Agua Azul waterfalls. Immerse yourself further into Mexicoâs fascinating culture as you discover the rituals, symbols and ceremonies of the Day of the Dead festival. ITINERARY DAY 1: Arrival Cancun On arrival in Cancun, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Cancun was once a small and remote fishing village, not much more than a sand bar clinging to Mexico’s Caribbean coast. In the 1970’s the government saw the appeal of the area’s shimmering clear turquoise waters and pristine white sand, largely untouched since the mysterious decline of the Mayan Empire around the 13th century. Today, Cancun is an exciting beach destination and gateway to the Mundo Maya, or Maya World. Its strategic location makes it a major gateway to the Mayan World and the Caribbean. With its miles of pristine white sand beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters and its proximity to legendary archaeological sites such as Tulum and Chichen Itza, Cancun is unequalled in its ability to offer cultural gems, natural beauty and infinite activities. Copyright Chimu Adventures. All rights reserved 2020. Chimu Adventures PTY LTD CENTRAL AMERICA MULTI COUNTRY - DAY OF THE DEAD DAY 2: Cancun - Free Day TRIP CODE Today is free for you to relax on the beaches or maybe take a tour to the beautiful ruins of Tulum MXTSDOD or to nearby Isla Mujeres. DEPARTURE 22/10/2017 DURATION DAY 3: Chichen Itza, Merida 14 Days Departing Cancun, we travel to Merida via Chichen Itza. The archaeological site of Chichen Itza, one of LOCATIONS the New 7 Wonders of the World, is the best restored of Yucatan’s Mayan sites. Here we Mexico explore the magnificent ruins set in a dense jungle, including the Pyramid of Kukulcan - its height and striking geometric design dominating the whole site, the Great Ball Court - the largest and most impressive in Mesoamerica, the Sacred Cenote - a natural well used for human sacrifice, and many other beautiful temples. We continue on to Merida where we spend the next 2 nights. Merida was founded in 1542, built on the site of the ancient Maya city T’ho, meaning “city of five hills” in reference to its pyramids. After the arrival of the Spanish, the ancient city’s five main pyramids were destroyed and the carved stones were used widely in the construction of Merida’s cathedral and other colonial buildings. Merida was built as a walled city and several of the old Spanish city gates remain. The city boasts the second-largest historic centre in Mexico, Mexico City’s being larger and it gets its nickname, La Ciudad Blanca (The White City), from the predominance of white limestone that was used as a building material. It is the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of Yucatán as well as the largest city of the Yucatán Peninsula. It makes a good base from which to explore the Mayan archaeological sites of Chichen-Itza and Uxmal. Pink flamingo sanctuaries and swimmable crystal- clear cenotes (sinkholes) are some of the natural attractions of the Yucatan Peninsula that are easily accessible from Merida. Copyright Chimu Adventures. All rights reserved 2020. Chimu Adventures PTY LTD CENTRAL AMERICA MULTI COUNTRY - DAY OF THE DEAD DAY 4: Uxmal Archaeological Site, Merida TRIP CODE Today we explore the archaeological site of Uxmal, followed by a city tour of Merida. Uxmal, a MXTSDOD World Heritage Site, is located 80km south of Merida. Its architecture is characterized by low DEPARTURE horizontal palaces set around courtyards, decorated with a profusion of symbolic motifs and sculptures depicting the long-nosed rain god 22/10/2017 Chaac. We will explore the magnificent buildingsincluding the House of the Magician DURATION which dominates the site, the Nunnery and the House of Turtles. Returning to Merida, we explore 14 Days the historic city centre. We will visit the magnificent Cathedral of San Ildefonso, built with the stones of ancient Maya temples. Construction LOCATIONS of this cathedral began in 1561, making it the oldest in Latin America. Inside we can find murals Mexico depicting the meeting between Francisco de Montejo - founder of Merida - and the Mayan King Tutl Xiu. We will visit Casa Montejo - the grandiose home of Francisco de Montejo, and the Governor's Palace - housing 27 huge murals by Don Fernando Castro Pacheco illustrating the somewhat violent history of Yucatan. From the beautiful tree-shaded Plaza Principal (Main Square) we can take pictures of the Cathedral, the Palacio Municipal (Town Hall), Casa Montejo and the Governor's Palace. Finally, we drive along the historic boulevard Paseo Montejo - fashioned after the Champs Elysees - with its stately European-style mansions, shops and quaint restaurants. Though a bustling city of about 700,000, Merida retains its colonial charm and has a laid-back tempo that delights visitors. There will also be an opportunity to take part in the Day of the Dead activities that are organised by the local council. Please contact Chimu for more information, which will be available nearer to departure. Copyright Chimu Adventures. All rights reserved 2020. Chimu Adventures PTY LTD CENTRAL AMERICA MULTI COUNTRY - DAY OF THE DEAD DAY 5: To Campeche TRIP CODE This morning after breakfast, we depart Merida and head to Campeche. Campeche, located on the MXTSDOD Gulf of Mexico, was the principal sea port on the Yucatán Peninsula from the 16th to the 18th DEPARTURE century, and subsequently a major target of pirates such as Lorenzillo, Diego "The Mulatto" and William Parker. To protect the port from attacks, 22/10/2017 the Spanish Crown ordered the fortification of the city. Remnants of the original fortress that DURATION surrounded the entire town still stand, including ramparts and gates. The ramparts now house 14 Days museums and the Land Gate is the site of a dramatic light and sound show that relives the pirate era. Today the walled coastal colonial town LOCATIONS of Campeche is a captivating port filled with naval history, Baroque Spanish architecture and aging Mexico beauty. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. Again there will be an opportunity to take part in the Day of the Dead activities organised by Campeche’s local council. Please contact Chimu for more information, which will be available nearer to departure. Copyright Chimu Adventures. All rights reserved 2020. Chimu Adventures PTY LTD CENTRAL AMERICA MULTI COUNTRY - DAY OF THE DEAD DAY 6: To Palenque TRIP CODE From Campeche we drive to Palenque where we explore the World Heritage Listed archaeological MXTSDOD site. In the foothills of the Tumbala Mountains, the ancient Maya site of Palenque sits on a ledge DEPARTURE overlooking the swampy plains that stretch northward all the way to the Gulf coast. Palenque was at its height between 500 and 700 A.D., when 22/10/2017 its influence extended throughout the basin of the Usumacinta River. The elegance and DURATION craftsmanship of the buildings, as well as the lightness of the sculpted reliefs with their Mayan 14 Days mythological themes, attest to the creative genius of this civilisation. It was the flood plain of the Usumacinta River that most likely provided LOCATIONS Palenque's inhabitants with the resources to construct their extraordinary city. Blessed with the Mexico highest average rainfall in Mexico, this fertile alluvial plain could have been successfully farmed with raised beds, and would have produced a harvest that not only could sustain a large workforce but would also have provided an abundance that could be traded along the Usumacinta. It seems that the gods were as enchanted with Palenque as are today's visitors. The archaeological site of Palenque, a World Heritage Site, is located 7km outside of the town of Palenque. The site, surrounded by rainforest where toucans and howler monkeys live, is made up of some 500 buildings spread over 15 sq. km, of which only a few have been excavated. We will explore the magnificent ruins, including the Temple of the Inscriptions - the tallest and stateliest of Palenque’s buildings, the Temple of the Sun - crowned with a prominent roof comb, The Palace - with its maze of corridors and rooms, and many other beautiful buildings. Copyright Chimu Adventures. All rights reserved 2020. Chimu Adventures PTY LTD CENTRAL AMERICA MULTI COUNTRY - DAY OF THE DEAD DAY 7: Agua Azul, San Cristobal de las Casas TRIP CODE After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for the beautiful town of San Cristobal de las Casas, MXTSDOD stopping at Agua Azul waterfalls on the way. Agua Azul is a series of beautiful turquoise blue DEPARTURE waterfalls that plunge into natural pools from a stretch of shallow canyons and cliffs. We continue to San Cristobal, a two-hour drive from Tuxtla 22/10/2017 Gutierrez. As we drive, the tropical heat and plants give way to cooler mountain air and pine forests DURATION that surround San Cristobal. San Cristobal de las Casas is acharacteristically indigenous Chiapaneca 14 Days town nestled in the heart of the jungle highlands. This Spanish colonial city is one of Mexico’s most enamoured and photographed city centres. It has LOCATIONS often been likened to Antigua City in Guatemala or even Cusco in Peru, but there is no doubt that San Mexico Cristobal has a flavour of its own.